Influenza

Influenza

Disease

The flu virus has two common names the flu and Grippe but it's scientific name is the Influenza.

Cause

The flu or the scientific name of the sickness the flu virus is a very infectious disease happens in your upper respiratory tract when the virus attacks the cells.

Transmission

The Flu Virus is spread from one person to another by coughing and sneezing, and in rare cases pigs can also infect humans.

Symptoms

There are three types of flu. Type C is the weakest, type B is more unstable, and and type A is the most unstable. The more unstable the flu virus the stronger it is and the harder it is for your body to fight off. The noticeable symptoms of the flu are chills, high fevers, scratchy throat, dry cough, aching in the head and muscles, and fatigue and weakness. Other symptoms of the flu are bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections. One of the effects the flu virus has is an increased chance of getting bacterial pneumonia which could lead to death. Guillain-Barre, a rare allergic reaction to the flu, causes muscle weakness in the arms and legs.

Treatment

The flu virus is a self treated disease that can be treated by resting and staying in bed. Antivirals may help reduce the symptoms and shorten the disease if treated within 48 hours.

Prevention

To prevent the flu people can choose to get a vaccine, but the vaccine can’t fully prevent the flu. The flu vaccine takes about 2 weeks until it becomes effective and works properly. Other ways to prevent the flu is wash your hands, contain coughs and sneezes, and avoid crowds.

Incidence

People that choose not to get flu shot have a higher chance of getting the flu than those who get a flu shot because nearly everybody that gets a flu shot doesn’t get the flu but about 10-20% of those who don’t get vaccinated get the flu virus. The flu virus can occur anywhere but it is most common in cold weather and 200,000 people are infected world wide.

The elderly people with immune disorders and chronic disorders are more likely to get the flu virus and those who work in health fields are encouraged to get a flu vaccine and for people 65 years or older they are encouraged to get a vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia and the flu also attacks young children. Pregnant, obese people, and people in poor living conditions or nursing homes are also more likely to get the flu.

Prognosis

90% of all influenza deaths are of people 65 or older and about 1 in 1,000 people who get the flu die. The flu vaccine puts an undeveloped flu virus into your body so your immune system can recognize the flu virus but other treatments are recommended for people 65 or older.

Current Events

In 2013 there was a flu outbreak in the United States which killed 18 people in the early in the flu season and ending with 170 cases of death. The rates of infection were at a extremely high amount of 10% of the population infected.